ARTIST BIO
Artistic Journey and Education
Karen's connection to art began in childhood, where her earliest memories consist of coloring, sewing, painting, cutting, and gluing. Despite her artistic nature being discouraged by a practical-minded family, her "relentless need" for self-expression through art continued, providing joy, self-expression, and income.
Her accumulated skills in oil paints and watercolors are an unusual patchwork pieced together from college classes, private lessons, and self-taught techniques. Karen emphasizes that she could never have too much time for art, and she paints primarily for self-fulfillment, honored that others enjoy her work.
Artistic Vision and Subject Matter
Karen's work is driven by a desire to evoke unique feelings and spiritual connections:
- Abstract Pieces: These are intended to engage the individual viewer to see or feel something unique and personal, similar to finding images in clouds.
- Representational Work (Floral, Still Life, Landscape, Nature):
These paintings are meant to convey feelings of appreciation, peace, and spiritual connectedness to the earth.
Diverse Creative Endeavors
Karen's artistic career extends beyond her dominant passion for oil painting and watercolors. She is the owner/artist of the handcrafted jewelry business, Haiku Designs. Over the years, she has also been seriously engaged in a wide variety of creative mediums and disciplines, including:
- Pottery
- Stained Glass
- Interior Design
- Clothing Design and Construction
- Photography
- Knitting
- Interior Decorating
- Beading
A Call to Art Appreciation
Karen believes people of all ages and cultures should "take time for art, to have fun and play with colors and shapes." She encourages everyone to appreciate the vast artistic endeavors that span from a child's first attempts to the world's greatest masterpieces.
She treasures memories of time spent in renowned art museums, including
- The Louvre
- Musée D'Orsay
- The National Gallery in London
- The Smithsonian Museums
She encourages frequent museum visits, believing that taking time to enjoy fine art promotes
"an opening of the mind, a softening of the heart, and an awakening of the soul,"
which
facilitates deeper appreciation for history, one another, and the world we share.
Ready to own an original piece of a landscape, a serene still life, or a custom abstract?
Let's discuss how Karen's art can add peace, color, and spiritual connectedness to your space.
